Princely apparition

Maharajas haven’t had much of a say in India for decades now, but many of the magnificent buildings so symbolic of their former power and glory still exist. Visitors flock to the Palace of Wind in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state, and also to Fort Amber, just a couple of kilometers away. Halfway between these two famous sights, the Jal Mahal, or Water Palace, rises mysteriously from the waters of Mansagar Lake. Maharaja Sawal Pratap Singh (1764-1803) used it as a summer retreat and a place to hunt ducks.

Getting there

Lufthansa flies daily from Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). Air India continues on to Jaipur (JAI). Rent a car for the 40-minute drive to Mansagar Lake.